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Make your way around the metro for tasty meal options from sunrise to beyond sunset

A while back I decided to spend the day touring metro Jackson, exploring ways I could expand my horizons (and my waistline), pulling together what was a fun and massively filling day.

Well, that day has come and gone. What to do now?

To recap the plan, I’m looking to spend a day roaming greater Jackson in search of ways to fill my meal schedule from morning until night, with maybe a little extra thrown in, just because.

Because we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, let’s get cracking.

I’m going to say that this day is on the weekend. Because of that, we’re going to get started in Madison at the Strawberry Café.

Outside of the fact that the name of this establishment puts Prince playing on a constant loop in my head, it’s a great place to get started.

On Saturday and Sunday the Strawberry Café offers brunch, and the idea of beginning my day with shrimp and grits, French bread, poached eggs, gravy and grits (named appropriately the Train Wreck, for a restaurant in a former railroad depot) definitely appeals to me.

I could have easily squeezed this place in about anywhere during the day, as it offers weekday lunch specials and an equally good dinner menu (don’t miss the beef tournados), not to mention a strong after dinner and dessert menu, all in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. However, breakfast — ok, brunch — is the choice and we’re moving forward.

The Strawberry Café is still open in the old Madison train depot, its original location since 1983.(Photo: File/Clarion Ledger)

Looking for something not quite so heavy, or maybe open a little bit earlier than the brunch crowd expects? The very appropriately named Brandon Donuts and Full Breakfast opens at 4:30 a.m. and offers everything from, well, it’s in the name; donuts to a full breakfast.

I’ll let you guess where it’s located. The donuts, biscuits and all are made fresh every day and the plates are cooked to order, so you can’t go wrong here.

How hungry are you after breakfast? That will determine our next stop. After all, it’s lunchtime.

Green Ghost Tacos has two locations in the metro area and can fit whatever your hunger level is. Just need something to tide you over?

Their traditional Mexican tacos fit the bill perfectly. From their wonderfully flavored chorizo tacos to marinated pork, set off well by the sweetness of chunks of pineapple (and let’s face it, pineapple makes everything taste sweeter) to the traditional ground beef, any choice is a winner.

Need a little bit more to fill that tummy? They can help there, with various options, from empanadas (which serve as a good choice to go with their in-house sauces) to enchiladas and chile rellenos.

Maybe a more traditional lunch is calling your name. In that case, hop on over to Froghead Grill in Clinton, where the burgers and sandwiches rule the day (the Bully Wrap usually wins me over). Or, if you’ve been hitting the outlet mall and are wanting to grab something around there, Frisco’s Deli is a solid choice. I’ve tried a number of their choices and have yet to find something I don’t like. However, I will admit, I have a tendency to head in there with great plans in mind to branch out, but when I get to the counter I end up ordering the Cajun roast beef sandwich almost every time.

Now we’ve got the afternoon to ourselves. There are so many options on ways to spend that time in the Jackson area: we can choose from a multitude of museums to broaden our minds; we can enjoy the day by hanging out at the Reservoir; we can shop till we drop, finding everything from fishing to fine art. Or we can find a rocking chair, enjoy the view and the fall weather, take a nap and build up some energy to get us ready for dinner time.

Now that the dinner bell has rung, the question is, where do we go?

If you’re in a casual, seafood kind of mood, I’d have to pick Sal and Phil’s. Atmosphere-wise, it’s the way a seafood restaurant should be — laid back and enjoyable. There’s a reason my snarky movie group has made it the annual home of our Sharknado parties every summer. The food is good, the staff is fun and the setting lends itself to a good time. What more can you want?

Well, maybe you want something a little more upscale, but still relaxed. A trip to 303 Jefferson Street in Clinton will check off all the boxes. It’s a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and just sit back, enjoy a good meal and good company.

Whatever you have a taste for, they can probably deliver. You can open with cheese curls or boudin balls and then move to roasted and braised pork shank over cheese grits, or get a smoked ribeye cheese steak sandwich.

After a day like this, your belly should be happy. You’ve crossed from one part of the metro to the other and hit several awesome stops along the way, and if you’ve done it right, you’ve had some laughs and made some memories in the process. That’s what living in a place like this is all about.

I can’t wait for the next day!

Raymond Reeves is a foodie and former Clarion Ledger reporter who lives and works in metro Jackson. Email him at reeves.raymond@gmail.com.